The Challenges Related to Interface Bond Characterization of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete With Implications for Bridge Rehabilitation Practices

Over the past decade there has been a significant increase in the number of concrete transportation structures reaching the end of their service lives, typically as a result of age and severe degradation. This deterioration is often the result of exposure to aggressive environments and substantial increases in vehicle loading. Rehabilitation is typically the most appropriate solution for these structures because of the high cost of full replacement, resulting in the need for cost-effective and suitable solutions for rehabilitation. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), one of the more recent advances in construction materials, appears to be a promising material for the repair of concrete structures. The potential benefit of UHPC is primarily derived from its negligible permeability, which prevents water or chemical penetration, and its high mechanical properties, which serve to increase the bearing capacity of the structure. Some of the primary challenges associated with the use of UHPC as a repair material are uncertainty in the bond performance and interaction with the existing substrate material. This paper focuses on the characterization of the interface bond and compatibility between UHPC and normal concrete. The testing program was conducted in the spirit of ASTM because no standard test methods currently exist for UHPC. In addition, a series of numerical models were developed to support the results obtained in the experimental investigations. The results highlight the exceptional performance of the bond, but they also demonstrate a number of challenges with respect to characterizing the bond. Specific challenges included characterization of surface roughness, premature specimen failure, material strength mismatch, and the quality and consistency of the testing methods used.